AC4C

 Legislative Learning Event

held last month

On March 25, AC4C hosted a Legislative Learning Event at the Capitol about Drug Endangered Children in Iowa with Jennifer Sleiter as the main speaker. Lorelle Mueting and Maggie Ballard also shared their experience working with their Drug Endangered Children Alliance. Jennifer spoke about the devastating effects of kratom and other drugs on newborn babies and families.

Twelve legislators and several clerks, along with 18 AC4C members attended the event. After the presentation AC4C members met with their legislators throughout the morning. In the afternoon, members and state partners met at the Department of Public Safety for state partner sharing as part of Day 2 of the spring work retreat. Forty-two members and partners attended all or part of the two-day retreat, in-person or virtually.

Jennifer Sleiter speaking to the legislators

Thanks again to Lorelle Mueting for being AC4C's President for the past 6 years! Lorelle was recognized during the AC4C Work Retreat last month.

Free virtual

EARLY INTERVENTION

for Iowa youth grades 6-12 from YSS

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, remember to Make It OK to talk about mental health. You Are Not Alone.

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AC4C Summer Quarterly Work Retreat:

Tuesday and Wednesday

June 23 and 24, 2026

Registration is open for the AC4C Summer Work retreat. An agenda will be coming out soon. Day 1, Tuesday, June 23 will be virtual only. Day 2, Wednesday, June 24, will be the Youth Leadership Day to bring your students to Camp Dodge in Johnston for a leadership and team building opportunity. The youth will participate in MCTC's Leadership Reaction (ropes) Course. Parent/guardian permission slips will be emailed out soon.

Day 2 will have a virtual option for adult members not able to attend in-person. There will be a little later start, (about 10 a.m.) allowing travel time for the youth and their sponsors to get to Camp Dodge.

Limited lodging is available for adults who want to stay on campus the night of June 23. Please register HERE whether coming in-person or virtually. Youth do not need to register for the retreat, but their sponsors should just let Jennifer Husmann at jhusmann@asac.us know how many youth they are bringing. 

Youth participating in the Leadership Reaction Course

 last year

Resources to Share and Links to check out... 

Members, keep up with the latest in the news

AC4C on Facebook

AC4C Youth on Instagram

Looking for a training

Iowa Board of Certification

Iowa ODCP

Iowa State Patrol

Iowa Health and Human Services & Your Life Iowa

Partnership for A Healthy Iowa

Do you know about RALI Iowa?

Check out this organization and information about their virtual trailer HERE

More resources...

Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau

Drive Smart Iowa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Traffic Safety Marketing

Stop Drugged Driving

Did you know you can now utilize Your Life Iowa to find the Tobacco Prevention & Control social media and other resources such as the My Life, My Quit images and posts? Check these and others out at YOUR LIFE IOWA.

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Meet the newly elected

AC4C board members!

Message from new board member, Savanah Strahan:

Hi AC4C! My name is Savanah Strahan, and I serve as the Lead Prevention Services Coordinator at YSS in Ames, Iowa. I oversee prevention programming focused on adolescent pregnancy and substance use across Story and Boone Counties. With five years of experience in substance use prevention, I’ve partnered with coalitions and communities to promote education and support healthy decision-making.

I previously served as AC4C’s Youth Coordinator, working alongside young people to elevate their voices in prevention efforts. I also currently serve as a Co-Chair for the Marijuana Action Team. I value being part of AC4C for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with partners across the state, and I’m excited to continue that work as a member of the AC4C Board in support of a healthier Iowa.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and traveling to Michigan to spend time with family and friends!

Message from new board member, Penny Seidenkranz:

I am a Certified Prevention Specialist at Employee & Family Resources, where I just celebrated my 5-year anniversary. At EFR, I serve as the Polk County Grant Coordinator for the PFS-PAM (Partnerships for Success to Prevent Alcohol Misuse). In this capacity, I provide alcohol-related programming that promotes responsible alcohol consumption at community events and responsible beverage service in Polk County bars and restaurants.

I work with populations in the 45+ range, and I am a certified facilitator for the WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) program and a certified trainer for the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) program. My greatest accomplishment under this grant has been the partnership created between the PFS-PAM grant and the Iowa State Fair. 

Join an Action Team or Work Group session every month!

Access the action team meetings on Mondays. Login information here

Other Substances Action Team

Next meetings- May 4 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- May 11 @ 9:30 a.m.

Nicotine Action Team 

Next meeting: May 18 @ 10:30 a.m. (No April meeting due to the DEC Conference.)

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- April 27 @ 9:30 a.m. (No meeting in May due to Memorial Day)

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Co-Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Looking for a volunteer to replace Jennifer as a Co-chair on this work group. If you are interested in this position please contact a board member or Jennifer.  

Meeting information can be found here

Purpose: To collaborate with the community and statewide entities to advocate and educate on substance abuse legislation, policies, and related issues.

_________________________________

Capacity/Sustainability Work Group

We are in need co-chairs for this group. Please let us know if you would like this leadership opportunity.

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm (Every other month now- next meeting scheduled is May 18.)

Please let Jennifer know if you would like to be sent the link for the meeting.

Purpose: Create a network of professionals that have diverse knowledge, experience, and interests to build skills and provide resources to members of AC4C.